Celtics Crush Knicks in Game 3 of Semifinals
Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics with 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Payton Pritchard contributed 23 points in the convincing 115-93 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Celtics showed impressive effectiveness from the three-point line, making 20 of 40 attempts, a significant improvement after the first two games in Boston, where they suffered two defeats despite having 20-point leads.
Tatum and Pritchard, both outstanding in the game, scored five three-pointers each.
Jaylen Brown contributed 19 points and Derrick White added 17 for the Celtics, who will look to tie the series in Game 4 on Monday night.
Jalen Brunson scored 27 points and Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks, who are seeking their first conference finals appearance since the year 2000.
The Celtics’ offense quickly caught fire, hitting their first four three-pointers and establishing a 36-20 lead in the first quarter, their best scoring in a postseason quarter.
Tatum and Pritchard continued their dominance, extending the lead to 55-33 with consecutive three-pointers, and the Celtics went into halftime with a 71-46 lead.
In contrast, New York struggled from the three-point line, with a percentage of 5 out of 25. In addition, Mitchell Robinson had problems at the free throw line, with 4 out of 12 attempts.
